Abstract: In some embodiments, an RFID device includes an RFID chip, a first antenna coupled to the RFID chip, and a cardboard substrate. The RFID chip may be at least one of attached to the cardboard substrate at a position and embedded within the cardboard substrate at the position. The cardboard substrate may form at least part of a carton blank configured to cover the RFID chip position with at least one layer of cardboard when the carton blank has been assembled into a closed box.

Abstract: A process for RFID certification of carton content. Cartons may be packed with a number of RFID-tagged items and sealed. A carton may then be placed in the proximity of a scanner, which may verify the number and type of items present in the container. The carton ID information and measured RFID data of the carton contents may then be compared to a database, and an RFID pack certification label prepared for the carton if there is no mismatch. Cartons may then be scanned after unloading at a distribution center and again after they are reloaded, for example by passing them through a door portal. Such a method may substantially reduce the costs of scanning and tracking items in a supply chain.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a monitoring system may include an RFID reader mounted to a support structure. The RFID reader may be configured for continuously scanning for RFID tagged items within a field and issuing an alert when an alert condition has been triggered.

Abstract: An RFID reader apparatus designed to limit interference in a role of auditing individual RFID tagged or labeled items in areas of surrounding dense RIFD transponder populations. Such an RFID reader apparatus may include an RFID reader, a specialized antenna, and an enclosure, which may be constructed from ferrous material and which may be configured to hold the RFID reader and the specialized antenna in separate compartments. The enclosure may have one or more shelves, which may also be constructed from ferrous material. The RFID reader apparatus may also have a lid constructed from non-ferrous material. The RFID reader apparatus may be fitted to the bottom of an auditing workstation, for example with screws or other connectors, or may be placed within an auditing workstation specifically equipped to accommodate it.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an RFID system for product identification may include a compartment having a first wall and a second wall that extend toward each other and that together define at least part of a cavity and a channel. The cavity may extend laterally along a first direction and may be configured to contain a suspended package and having a first width may extend along a second direction. The channel may extend laterally along the first direction and having a second width may extend along a second direction, the channel being in fluid communication with the cavity, the channel may be configured to limit movement along the second direction of a support that extends downward through the channel and into the cavity to support the suspended package, the second width of the channel being narrower than the first width of the cavity.

Abstract: High density read chambers are provided for scanning and/or encoding a plurality of RFID tagged items. Such chambers may include an enclosure with an interior defined by upper and lower surfaces, with a sidewall extending therebetween. An access (such as a door) may be associated with at least one of the surfaces or the sidewall, with the access being at least partially opened to access the interior of the enclosure from an outside location. The chamber further includes an antenna positioned within the interior of the enclosure and an RFID reader associated with the antenna. The RFID reader receives signals from and/or transmits signals to the antenna, while the antenna emits a scanning or encoding signal within the interior of the enclosure, with at least a portion of at least one of the surfaces or the sidewall including a signal-reflective material facing the interior of the enclosure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a mobile tote system includes a closeable mobile tote comprising an enclosure that includes a first radio-frequency-reflective surface and at least one radio-frequency-transparent layer. The system may include an engagement component that includes an RFID scanner having an RFID antenna. The engagement component may be configured to engage the mobile tote and to align the RFID scanner with the at least one radio-frequency-wave-transparent interface of the mobile tote to permit transmissions between the RFID antenna and the interior of the enclosure to pass through the radio-frequency-wave-transparent interface.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an RFID device includes an RFID chip, a first antenna coupled to the RFID chip, and a cardboard substrate. The RFID chip may be at least one of attached to the cardboard substrate at a position and embedded within the cardboard substrate at the position. The cardboard substrate may form at least part of a carton blank configured to cover the RFID chip position with at least one layer of cardboard when the carton blank has been assembled into a closed box.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a product management system includes at least one receiving location configured to receive a product associated with at least one smart device encoded with a unique identifier. The product management system further includes a reader system configured to receive a first signal transmitted from the at least one smart device, determine a time measurement, determine a state of the product based at least in part on a time measurement, and transmit a second signal based on the state of the product. The product management system further includes at least one display associated with the product and configured to receive the second signal from the reader system, and generate a visual indication of the state of the product based at least in part on the second signal.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) apparatus includes a housing, an RFID reader, and one or more RFID antennas disposed in the housing. The housing includes a first opening, a second opening, and a tunnel between the first and second openings. The housing is configured to be disposed over a track configured to transport a garment on hanger through the tunnel. The RFID antennas are configured to generate a first RFID signal substantially in the tunnel to interrogate an RFID tag associated with a garment on hanger as it transits through the tunnel. The RFID reader receives a second RFID signal transmitted by the RFID tag in response to receiving the first RFID signal. The RFID apparatus can include a segment of the track. The track can include a trolley configured to secure one or more garments on hangers. The trolley can include an RFID tag.

Abstract: A system and method for hands-free stock picking using radio frequency identification (“RFID”) includes a fixed RFID reader configured to interrogate RFID tags associated with inventory that is disposed on shelving, and an RFID barrier that is configured to substantially inhibit interrogation of RFID tags associated with active inventory on the shelving. The RFID reader receives responses from the replenishment inventory on the shelving which are tabulated. When an item is picked from the active inventory and moved away from the RFID barrier, the RFID reader receives an increased number of responses for that item compared to the tabulated inventory. The system then associates the picked item with the associated customer order.

Abstract: Mobile high density read chambers are provided for scanning a plurality of RFID tagged items. Such chambers may include an enclosure with an interior defined by upper and lower surfaces, with a sidewall extending therebetween. An access (such as a door) may be associated with the sidewall, with the access being at least partially opened to access the interior of the enclosure from an outside location. The chamber further includes an RFID reader having at least one antenna positioned within the interior of the enclosure to emit a scanning signal within the interior of the enclosure. A base supports the enclosure, with at least one movement member supporting the base and configured to engage a ground surface for transport of the mobile high density read chamber. The movement member may comprise one or more wheels, ball casters, low-friction sliders, or rollers, for example.

Abstract: RFID devices are provided for use in combination with a food item or other temperature-sensitive item. The RFID devices include an RFID chip and an antenna electrically coupled to the RFID chip, along with a temperature-sensitive member. The temperature-sensitive member is configured to be in a first condition below a selected temperature and a second condition above the selected temperature to signify that the RFID device and associated food item or other temperature-sensitive item have been exposed to a temperature above the selected temperature. The temperature-sensitive member may be incorporated into the antenna to render the antenna at least partially inoperative above the selected temperature. The temperature-sensitive member may instead be configured to exhibit different colors below and above the selected temperature, or a single RFID device may include both types of temperature-sensitive members.

Abstract: A system and method for hands-free stock picking using radio frequency identification (“RFID”) includes a fixed RFID reader configured to interrogate RFID tags associated with inventory that is disposed on shelving, and an RFID barrier that is configured to substantially inhibit interrogation of RFID tags associated with active inventory on the shelving. The RFID reader receives responses from the replenishment inventory on the shelving which are tabulated. When an item is picked from the active inventory and moved away from the RFID barrier, the RFID reader receives an increased number of responses for that item compared to the tabulated inventory. The system then associates the picked item with the associated customer order.

Abstract: A mobile radio frequency identification (RFID) device for use with supply chain operations, association of things, and work in process operations. The mobile RFID device comprises a cart comprising four wheels and a handle for guiding its motion. The cart also comprises a top surface, an open lower shelf below the top surface, and a lower enclosure below the open lower shelf. The top surface of the cart comprises a very refined RF field which only scans items within a defined area. The defined area can be a flat work surface or a recessed well. The top surface also comprises a directional antenna that is completely hidden and communicatively coupled to an RFID reader. The lower enclosure below the open lower shelf is an enclosed storage cabinet that can house an RFID reader, an inverter (DC to AC), a battery, and a charger for the battery.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for forming and applying an RFID label may be shown and described herein. Exemplary embodiments can include a new type of RFID inlay that has a multi-element antenna design, allowing for an RFID label thus equipped to be coupled to a carton, for example, around an edge or a corner. Thus, even if part of the RFID label is blocked or obscured, for example by neighboring cartons, the label can still be read as desired.

Abstract: A thermal sensitive media for use with labeling or identification methods is disclosed. The thermal sensitive media comprises a media layer and a thermally sensitive record layer formed upon at least one surface of the media layer. The thermally sensitive record layer forms a visually discernable colored image in response to heat. However, the colored image is subject to degradation as a result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation within a known photodegradative wavelength range. An ultraviolet protective coating layer may then disposed over the thermally sensitive record layer. A lamination layer is positioned internal to the media layer and comprises a matrix of micro heating elements driven by radio frequency (RF) power. The matrix of micro heating elements are arranged in a pin array to energize the micro heating elements within the laminated media structure to create a simple numeric image.

Abstract: An RFID reader apparatus designed to limit interference in a role of auditing individual RFID tagged or labeled items in areas of surrounding dense RIFD transponder populations. Such an RFID reader apparatus may include an RFID reader, a specialized antenna, and an enclosure, which may be constructed from ferrous material and which may be configured to hold the RFID reader and the specialized antenna in separate compartments. The enclosure may have one or more shelves, which may also be constructed from ferrous material. The RFID reader apparatus may also have a lid constructed from non-ferrous material. The RFID reader apparatus may be fitted to the bottom of an auditing workstation, for example with screws or other connectors, or may be placed within an auditing workstation specifically equipped to accommodate it.

Abstract: Mobile high density read chambers are provided for scanning a plurality of RFID tagged items. Such chambers may include an enclosure with an interior defined by upper and lower surfaces, with a sidewall extending therebetween. An access (such as a door) may be associated with the sidewall, with the access being at least partially opened to access the interior of the enclosure from an outside location. The chamber further includes an RFID reader having at least one antenna positioned within the interior of the enclosure to emit a scanning signal within the interior of the enclosure. A base supports the enclosure, with at least one movement member supporting the base and configured to engage a ground surface for transport of the mobile high density read chamber. The movement member may comprise one or more wheels, ball casters, low-friction sliders, or rollers, for example.

Abstract: An RFID reader apparatus designed to limit interference in a role of auditing individual RFID tagged or labeled items in areas of surrounding dense RIFD transponder populations. Such an RFID reader apparatus may include an RFID reader, a specialized antenna, and an enclosure, which may be constructed from ferrous material and which may be configured to hold the RFID reader and the specialized antenna in separate compartments. The enclosure may have one or more shelves, which may also be constructed from ferrous material. The RFID reader apparatus may also have a lid constructed from non-ferrous material. The RFID reader apparatus may be fitted to the bottom of an auditing workstation, for example with screws or other connectors, or may be placed within an auditing workstation specifically equipped to accommodate it.